Water resources are used mainly for the irrigation purposes. About 84 percent of the water is used for irrigation purposes. However, increase in demand of water for other uses is sharply reducing the share of water for irrigation.
Since rainfall is uncertain in India, so total dependence on rain for irrigation, badly affects crops. Sufficient and proper irrigation enhances the productivity and quality of crops. For adequate irrigation, construction of canals, tanks and reservoirs has been made possible in almost all over the country. The irrigation potential of India has been increased upto 84.7 million hectare by 1999-2000, from 22.6 million hectare in 1950-51.
To extend irrigation benefits in the country, government has taken the following steps:
(i) Central assistance to states for ensuring easy completion of irrigation projects.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
(ii) Combined use of surface and ground water resources.
(iii) Farmer’s participation in water-management programmes.
(iv) Promotion of better water-management practices.